Interlaced 3d video

ABSTRACT

A video processing device ( 100 ) for processing 3D video is coupled to a 3D display device ( 120 ). The device receives the 3D video data according to a high resolution interlaced 3D format. A video processor ( 106 ) generates a 3D display signal according to a display format. 3D display capability data indicates at least one interlaced 3D display format accepted by the 3D display device, the interlaced 3D display format having a lower resolution than the high resolution interlaced 3D format. The device has a storage unit ( 21,31 ) for storing the 3D display capability data and 3D conversion capability data. The 3D conversion capability data indicates a capability of the video processing device for interlaced down conversion for enabling a selection mechanism to control the processing of the 3D video information by selecting the interlaced 3D display format and the interlaced down conversion. Advantageously the user is provided with the best possible 3D view.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit or priority of and describesrelationships between the following applications: wherein thisapplication is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/354,605, filed Apr. 28, 2014, which is the National Stage ofInternational Application No. PCT/IB2012/056539 filed Nov. 19, 2012,which claims the priority of foreign application EP11190435, filed Nov.24, 2011, and U.S. Provisional application 61/563,865, field Nov. 28,2011 all of which are incorporated herein in whole by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a video processing device for processing threedimensional [3D] video information, the 3D video information comprising3D video data, the device comprising input means for receiving the 3Dvideo data according to an interlaced 3D format having a resolutionmatching an interlaced frame packing format, a video processor forprocessing the 3D video information and generating a 3D display signal,the 3D display signal representing the 3D video data according to adisplay format, and a display interface for interfacing with a 3Ddisplay device for transferring the 3D display signal, the displayinterface being arranged for receiving 3D display capability data fromthe 3D display device.

The invention further relates to a method for controlling processing ofthree dimensional [3D] video information, the 3D video informationcomprising 3D video data according to an interlaced 3D format having aresolution matching an interlaced frame packing format, and saidprocessing the 3D video information comprising generating a 3D displaysignal for a 3D display device, the 3D display signal representing the3D video data according to a display format.

The invention relates to the field of processing and displaying 3D videoinformation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various sources of 3D video information are well known. For HighDefinition movie publishing, the Blu-ray disc system is widely used.Initially the BD-ROM audio-visual application format only containedsupport for 2D video. Various video coding options are included in thesystem, which are all supported by BD-ROM compliant playback devices.One of the supported video codecs is AVC (also known as ISO/IEC MPEG-4Part 10 and ITU-T H.264). Recently the Blu-ray video distribution systemwas extended with stereoscopic 3D capabilities based on the Stereo Highprofile of MVC (Multiview Video Coding), an extension of AVC. TheBlu-ray Stereoscopic 3D (S3D) extension is currently restricted toprogressive video. Two progressive video modes are defined for BD3D:1080 line mode at 24 (actually 23.976) frames per second (“1080p24”) and720 line mode at 50 or 60 (actually 59.94) frames per second. For S3D,the video stream is composited of a so-called independent view and adependent view. The independent view is AVC compliant and canpotentially be decoded by BD players that are not designed to decode thefull BD3D (MVC) video stream. Background information on the Blu-ray DiscRead-Only Audio Visual Application format can be found in a White Paperpublished by the Blu-ray Disc Association:http://www.blu-raydisc.com/assets/Downloadablefile/BD-ROM-AV-WhitePaper_110712.pdfAn overview of the BD3D extension is described in section 6, whiledetails can be found in Annex A of this White Paper.

The MVC format and the way it has been applied in Blu-ray enable thedisc author to create S3D Blu-ray discs such that they can be played as2D video on players that do not support stereoscopic playback, or in thecase that the connected display does not support 3D display. To be ableto select either 2D playback or S3D playback, the playback programinformation contains branches with playback instructions and settingsfor both options. The playback program has access to a set of 32-bitPlayer Setting Registers and Playback Status Registers (referred to asPSRs) that can be used to adapt e.g. playlist selection or playbackoptions. For the extension of the Blu-ray format with S3D capabilities,additional PSRs were defined, including a PSR to indicate displaycapabilities. These display capabilities include a field to contain thehorizontal display size, a bit to indicate whether or not glasses arerequired for stereoscopic display and a bit to indicate if the displayis capable of displaying stereoscopic content. The playback program canfor instance read the bit that indicates the stereoscopic capability ofthe display and select either the 2D or the S3D branch depending on thevalue.

A 3D video processing device like a BD player or set top box may becoupled to a 3D display device like a TV set or monitor for transferringthe 3D video data via a display signal on suitable interface, preferablya high-speed digital interface like HDMI. High definition pixel data istransmitted along with audio from the source to the destination device.In addition to that, HDMI can carry data in both directions, e.g. forcontrol purposes and to exchange status information. There is apossibility for the so-called EDID (Extended Display IdentificationCode), which allows a display to show its capabilities to a sourcedevice like a BD player. These EDID capability parameters include thevarious combinations of spatial resolutions and frame rates supported bythe display.

The 3D display device receives a 3D display signal via the interface andprovides different images to the respective eyes of a viewer to create a3D effect. The display device may be a stereoscopic device, e.g. for aviewer wearing shutter glasses that pass left and right views displayedsequentially to the respective left and right eye of a viewer. However,the display device may also be an auto stereoscopic display thatgenerates multiple views; different views being perceived by therespective eyes of a viewer not wearing glasses.

The invention is focused on the specific type of interlaced video data.Traditionally interlaced video data signals transfer even lines and oddlines of a video frame in two separate sets, usually called fields. Alsofor 3D video data various interlaced 3D display formats have beenproposed, for example in the HDMI standard version 1.4a. The relevantpart relating to 3D is described in the document “High-DefinitionMultimedia Interface, Specification Version 1.4a, Extraction of 3DSignaling Portion” of Mar. 4, 2010, available from http://www.hdmi.org/,which document describes the respective high resolution and lowerresolution interlaced 3D formats as discussed further below.

When HDMI was extended to support 3D formats, two methods were definedto transmit stereoscopic (2-view) 3D. One method is to use the existing2D format and to squeeze the two views (left and right) of stereoscopicvideo into the 2D format. Within this method there are 2 options: theside-by side configuration and the top-bottom configuration. The othermethod is to double the number of video lines of an HDMI video frame andto transmit the 2 full HD views subsequently (L first) in this singleHDMI frame. The latter method is called “frame packed”.

HDMI defines a number of mandatory 3D formats. There are only 2mandatory frame packing formats: 1080p24 and 720p50/60. These coincidewith the Blu-ray S3D progressive video formats. The side-by-side andtop-bottom formats do not provide a full resolution per eye quality, butthey match 3D formats selected by broadcasters in various countries,having the advantage that existing AVC decoders designed for Full HD canbe used to decode “frame compatible” (side-by-side or top-bottom) 3Dvideo signals. These frame compatible formats include interlace videomodes, as for broadcasting interlaced video is widely used.

US2009/0284652 describes a video processing system (VPS) that receives aplurality of video inputs and specifically tailors them to meet theaudio/video format requirements of a plurality of recipient videodevices. The VPS may query the recipient devices to obtain theaudio/video format requirements of the video devices. Reformatting mayinvolve transcoding the input signals to produce output video formats asneeded. Multiple VPS may exchange information regarding their conversioncapabilities, and an appropriate VPS may automatically be selected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Recently there has been a desire to use interlaced 3D video information,for example to extend the S3D BD format with Full HD interlaced 3D videobased on MVC coding, to enable to store interlaced 3D content on BD.Besides the fact that the BD format needs to be extended with a formatthat is not compliant with the installed base of BD3D players, there isa compliance issue at the HDMI interface with the display device.Assumed that the BD3D player is enhanced to decode the interlaced 3Dvideo stream, there is a problem if the display device does not supporta matching interlaced frame packing format.

It is an object of the invention to provide a system for processinginterlaced 3D video data according to a high resolution interlaced 3Dformat that enables rendering on a 3D display device which does notsupport the high resolution interlaced 3D format.

For this purpose, according to a first aspect of the invention, the 3Ddisplay capability data indicates an interlaced 3D display formataccepted by the 3D display device, the interlaced 3D display formatdiffering from the interlaced frame packing format and being a side byside or a top bottom format, and the video processing device asdescribed in the opening paragraph comprises storage means for storingthe 3D display capability data and 3D conversion capability data in astatus register, the 3D conversion capability data indicating acapability of the video processing device for interlaced conversion ofthe interlaced 3D format into the interlaced 3D display format forenabling a selection mechanism to control the processing of the 3D videoinformation by reading the status register and accordingly selecting theinterlaced 3D display format and the interlaced conversion.

For this purpose, according to a further aspect of the invention, themethod as described in the opening paragraph comprises retrieving, froma status register, 3D display capability data and 3D conversioncapability data, the 3D display capability data indicating an interlaced3D display format accepted by the 3D display device, the interlaced 3Ddisplay format differing from the interlaced frame packing format andbeing a side by side or a top bottom format, and the 3D conversioncapability data indicating a capability of the video processing devicefor interlaced conversion of the interlaced 3D format into theinterlaced 3D display format, and controlling the processing of the 3Dvideo information by, in dependence on the 3D display capability dataand the 3D conversion capability data,—selecting the interlacedconversion.

The invention also provides a computer program product for controllingprocessing of 3D video information, which program is operative to causea processor to perform the method as described above, and an opticalrecord carrier comprising the computer program, and the 3D videoinformation.

The above features have the following effect. The input means, forexample an optical disc drive, receive 3D video data in a format asdetermined by the source, e.g. a broadcaster or movie studio. The videoprocessor processes, e.g. unpacks and decodes the 3D video information,and generates a 3D display signal to be transferred to a 3D displaydevice via the display interface, e.g. HDMI. The display interface isalso arranged for receiving 3D display capability data from the 3Ddisplay device. The 3D display capability data indicates at least oneinterlaced 3D display format accepted by the 3D display device, whichinterlaced 3D display format differs from the interlaced frame packingformat and is a side by side or a top bottom format. When the sourceselects an interlaced 3D video format, the video processing devicedetermines whether conversion of the interlaced 3D video to theinterlaced 3D display format is possible based on the 3D conversioncapability data, which indicates the capability of the video processingdevice for interlaced conversion of the interlaced 3D format into theinterlaced 3D display format. The device has storage means for storing,in a status register, the 3D display capability data and the 3Dconversion capability data. By retrieving from the status register, the3D display capability data and the 3D conversion capability data, theselection mechanism is able to control the processing of the 3D videoinformation by selecting the interlaced 3D display format and theinterlaced conversion, for example a selection mechanism provided in thevideo processor and activated when a medium is inserted in the device.Advantageously the stored 3D display capability data and 3D conversioncapability data enable an easy and executable control step for settingup a conversion function whenever there is a mismatch between inputinterlaced 3D video data and supported interlaced 3D display formats.

The invention is also based on the following recognition. Wheninterlaced 3D video input data of a specific resolution is to beoutputted to a display having a different resolution, various optionsare apparent. Traditionally 3D displays have at least support for 2Dformats and a few progressive 3D video formats. A basic option would beto automatically switch back to the best available shared format, e.g. a2D format. A further option would be to convert the interlaced 3D videoto progressive 3D video. However, the inventors have seen that suchconversion, although possible, may involve a lot of processing power,whereas quality of the progressive 3D video signal may still berelatively low. Providing the capability to convert interlace 3D videoinput data having a resolution matching an interlaced frame packingformat to a display interlaced 3D format differing from the interlacedframe packing format and being a side-by-side or a top-bottom format,requires less processing power. Also the quality after conversion isusually still acceptable.

Moreover, as described in US2009/0284652, the prior art may requiredynamically detecting any available conversion capabilities, e.g. byexchanging capability data between various processing units. By storingboth the display 3D capability and the interlaced conversion capabilityin a status register, and thereby making the capability data availableto a selection mechanism, the selection mechanism is in full control ofselecting the most suitable display format. In particular, providing theselection mechanism as a function implemented on the medium that alsocarries the 3D video information, such as a Blu-ray Disc, enables thesource side, e.g. the movie studio, to determine which selection is tobe made in dependence of the retrieved capability data.

Optionally, the storage means is arranged for storing an interlaced 3Ddecoding capability of the video processing device for enabling theselection mechanism to engage, in dependence of the interlaced 3Ddecoding capability, generating the 3D display signal by decoding the 3Dvideo data. Advantageously the selection mechanism determines, independence of the stored capability decoding data, whether playback ofthe high resolution interlaced 3D format is available.

Optionally, the storage means is arranged for storing a 3D interlacestatus for a medium carrying the 3D video data, for enabling theselection mechanism to adapt said control in dependence of the 3Dinterlace status, when receiving 3D video data from said medium. Thestored interlace status is a preference for the medium with respect toselecting the interlaced 3D display format and the interlacedconversion. Advantageously, when the medium is to be rendered a secondtime, the status is retrieved and used to avoid repeating similarquestions or messages to the user.

Optionally, the 3D conversion capability data indicates multiplecapabilities of the video processing device for interlaced conversion ofthe interlaced high resolution 3D format into respective differentinterlaced 3D display formats, and/or interlaced conversion ofrespective different interlaced high resolution 3D formats into theinterlaced 3D display format. Advantageously, detailed capability datais available for determining an optimum match between the input format,display format, and the conversion capability.

Optionally, the selection mechanism is implemented as a control functionof the video processor. For example, a standard function may be added toa predetermined set of functions made available to a host device ormultimedia program that is controlling the video processing device.

Optionally, the selection mechanism comprises providing a user input forenabling a user to control the display format and/or the interlacedconversion. The user may further control the selection via the userinput, e.g. a pop-up message and buttons.

Optionally, the selection mechanism comprises alternatively selecting a2D display signal in dependence of the 3D conversion capability data.Advantageously, when no suitable interlaced conversion is selectable,the mechanism controls the processor to generate the 2D display signal,which will be always displayed on any display device.

Optionally the display interface is a High Definition MultimediaInterface [HDMI] arranged for said receiving the 3D display capabilitydata from the 3D display device via Enhanced Extended DisplayIdentification Data [E-EDID]. This has the advantage that the HDMIstandard used for transferring the 3D display capability data.

Optionally, the method comprises at least one of the steps:

generating a message to be displayed to inform a user that 3D playbackis not possible when an interlaced 3D decoding capability of the videoprocessing device indicates that generating the 3D display signal bydecoding the 3D video data is not available;

generating a message to be displayed to inform a user that 3D playbackis not possible when the interlaced 3D conversion capability dataindicates that interlaced conversion is not available;

selecting an alternative program when 3D playback is not possible;selecting a 2D version of the 3D video information when 3D playback isnot possible;

generating a message to be displayed to inform a user that 3D playbackis possible at a reduced resolution when selecting the interlaced 3Ddisplay format and the interlaced conversion;

generating a message to be displayed listing the 3D display capabilitydata and/or the 3D conversion capability data and enabling a user toselect the display format and/or the interlaced conversion.

Advantageously the messages and/or selected program or conversion enablethe user to enjoy the best possible display mode for the 3D videoinformation.

Optionally a computer program is provided that implements the abovemethods and steps.

Optionally, the input means comprises an optical disc unit for receivingthe 3D video data from an optical disc. The optical record carrier maycomprise the above computer program, and the 3D video information.Advantageously, the optical record carrier can be manufactured inaccordance with the Blu-ray Disc (BD) system, and the computer programproduct may be in accordance with Java programming requirements, e.g. asdefined in the BD system.

Further preferred embodiments of the devices and method according to theinvention are given in the appended claims, disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference. Features defined in dependent claimsfor a particular method or device correspondingly apply to other devicesor methods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from andelucidated further with reference to the embodiments described by way ofexample in the following description and with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which

FIG. 1 shows a system for processing 3D video information,

FIG. 2 shows a storage unit having 3D display capability data, and

FIG. 3 shows a storage unit having 3D interlaced capability data of thevideo processing device.

The figures are purely diagrammatic and not drawn to scale. In theFigures, elements which correspond to elements already described havethe same reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a system for processing three dimensional (3D) videoinformation. The 3D video information includes 3D video data, alsocalled main video data, and may include auxiliary data, such assubtitles, graphics and other additional visual information. A 3D videoprocessing device 100 is coupled to a 3D display device 120 fortransferring a 3D display signal 110.

The 3D video processing device has input means for receiving the 3Dvideo data according to an input format, including an input unit 101 forretrieving the 3D video data, e.g. a video disc player, media player ora set top box. For example the input means may include an optical discunit 103 for retrieving video and auxiliary information from an opticalrecord carrier 105 like a DVD or Blu-ray Disc (BD). In an embodiment theinput means may include a network interface unit 102 for coupling to anetwork 104, for example the internet or a broadcast network. Video datamay be retrieved from a broadcaster, remote media server or website. The3D video processing device may also be a satellite receiver, or a mediaserver directly providing the display signals, i.e. any video devicethat outputs a 3D display signal to be coupled to a display device. Thedevice may be provided with user control elements for setting userpreferences, e.g. rendering parameters of 3D video.

The 3D video processing device has a video processor 106 coupled to theinput unit 101 for processing the video information for generating a 3Ddisplay signal 110 to be transferred via a display interface unit 107 tothe display device. The auxiliary data may be added to the video data,e.g. overlaying subtitles on the main video. The video processor 106 isarranged for including the video information in the 3D display signal110 to be transferred to the 3D display device 120. The video processoris provided with a function to convert high resolution interlaced 3Dvideo input data to a lower resolution interlaced 3D format, which iscalled interlaced conversion, in particular interlaced 3Ddown-conversion. For example, full HD frame packed interlaced 3D videodata may be down converted to the side-by-side half 3D format.

The 3D display device 120 is for displaying 3D video information. Thedevice has a 3D display 123 receiving 3D display control signals fordisplaying the video information by generating multiple views, forexample a left view and a right view for the respective eyes of a viewerwearing shutter glasses or multiple views for viewers without dedicatedeyewear using a lenticular LCD. The device has a display interface unit121 for receiving the 3D display signal 110 including the 3D videoinformation transferred from the 3D video processing device 100. Thedevice has a display processor 122 coupled to the interface 121. Thetransferred video data is processed in the display processor 122 forgenerating the 3D display control signals for rendering the 3D videoinformation on a 3D display 123 based on the 3D video data. The displaydevice 13 may be any type of stereoscopic display that provides multipleviews, and has a display depth dimension indicated by arrow 124. Thedisplay device may be provided with user control elements for settingdisplay parameters of the display, such as contrast, color or depthparameters.

The input unit 101 is arranged for retrieving video data from a source.The video processor 106 is arranged for processing the 3D videoinformation, as follows. The video processor processes the 3D videoinformation and generates the 3D display signal. The 3D display signalrepresents the 3D video data and the auxiliary data according to adisplay format, e.g. HDMI. The display interface 107 interfaces with the3D display device 120 for transferring the 3D display signal. The videoprocessing device 100 is arranged for receiving 3D display capabilitydata from the 3D display device, the 3D display capability dataindicating an interlaced 3D display format accepted by the 3D displaydevice, e.g. dynamically when coupled to the display device. The 3Ddisplay capability data is discussed below in detail.

The display processor 122 is arranged for providing a display controlsignal representing the multiple views to the 3D display based on the 3Ddisplay signal as received on the interface 121. The display device isarranged for transferring the 3D display capability data to the videoprocessing device. The 3D display capability data may be stored in amemory, e.g. provided during production of the 3D display device. Thedisplay processor, or a further controller, may transfer the 3D displaycapability data via the interface, i.e. in the direction towards thevideo processing device. The display processor is arranged for providingthe display control signal based on retrieving, from the display signal,the respective 3D video data.

The 3D video information, e.g. on a storage medium, contains video dataand playback program information. The video data contains at least oneor more coded stereoscopic video streams and may also include other datalike coded audio streams and graphical information. The video playbackdevice is designed to read and interpret the playback programinformation from the storage device and to read and decode the videostreams according to instructions and playback settings included in theplayback program information. The playback capabilities of the playbackdevice may be restricted to a subset of capabilities defined in astandard with which the data on the storage medium has to comply. Thedecoded video data, possibly blended with graphical data, issubsequently formatted into a video output data format in compliancewith a video interface standard and transmitted to the display device.

The video processing device, in operation, performs the followingfunctions for processing the 3D video information. The input unitreceives the 3D video data according to a high resolution interlaced 3Dformat, for example stereoscopic full HD at 1920×1080 interlaced. Thevideo processor 106 processes the 3D video information and generates a3D display signal, the 3D display signal representing the 3D video dataaccording to a display format. The display interface 107 is connected tothe 3D display device 120 for transferring the 3D display signal 110.The display interface also receives 3D display capability data from the3D display device. The 3D display capability data indicates one or moreinterlaced 3D display formats accepted by the 3D display device. Theinterlaced 3D display format may have a lower resolution than the highresolution interlaced 3D format, and hence no direct match with theinput interlaced 3D video format is available. Hence the interlaced 3Dinput format is to be down converted to a lower resolution interlaced 3Ddisplay format. The down conversion capability of the device isindicated by 3D conversion capability data, the 3D conversion capabilitydata indicating a capability of the video processing device forinterlaced conversion of the high resolution interlaced 3D format intothe interlaced 3D display format.

The device engages storage means such as memory registers and stores the3D display capability data and the 3D conversion capability data, forenabling a selection mechanism to control the processing of the 3D videoinformation by selecting the interlaced 3D display format and theinterlaced conversion.

The storage unit may be arranged for storing an interlaced 3D decodingcapability of the video processing device. The selection mechanism maynow engage, in dependence of the interlaced 3D decoding capability,generating the 3D display signal by decoding the 3D video data.Optionally, the storage unit is arranged for storing a 3D interlacestatus for a medium carrying the 3D video data, for enabling theselection mechanism to adapt said control in dependence of the 3Dinterlace status, when receiving 3D video data from said medium. Hence,when the medium is played again, the status established earlier may beused.

The 3D conversion capability data may indicate multiple capabilities ofthe video processing device for interlaced conversion of the interlacedhigh resolution 3D format into respective different interlaced 3Ddisplay formats, for example different interlaced 3D formats may beindividually indicated, e.g. by separate bits, to be available as targetformat after conversion. Also, interlaced conversion of respectivedifferent input interlaced high resolution 3D formats may beindividually indicated, e.g. by separate bits, to be available forconversion into one or more target interlaced 3D display formats.

The selection mechanism may be part of a playback program that isprovided with the 3D video information, e.g. on the medium that alsocontains the interlaced 3D video information, such as a BD. Theselection mechanism may be implemented using Java in accordance withJava programming requirements as defined in the BD system, so calledBD-J.

Optionally, the selection mechanism may be implemented as a controlfunction of the video processor. Such a control function may beactivated on request, e.g. by the user or by the playback program of themedium, or by a broadcaster which transmits the interlaced 3D videoinformation. The selection mechanism may provide a user input forenabling a user to control the display format and/or the interlacedconversion. Also, the selection mechanism may include alternativelyselecting a 2D display signal in dependence of the 3D conversioncapability data, or based on a user input.

In an embodiment of the video processing device, the display interfaceis arranged for receiving 3D display capability data from the 3D displaydevice via the 3D display signal. The 3D display capability data may beincluded by the 3D display device in a bi-directional signal astransferred over a suitable high speed digital video interface, e.g. ina HDMI signal using the well known HDMI interface (e.g. see “HighDefinition Multimedia Interface Specification Version 1.3a of Nov. 10,2006), in particular see section 8.3 on the via Enhanced ExtendedDisplay Identification Data, the E-EDID data structure, extended todefine the 3D display capability data as defined below. Hence in afurther embodiment the display interface is a High Definition MultimediaInterface [HDMI] arranged for said receiving the 3D display capabilitydata from the 3D display device via Enhanced Extended DisplayIdentification Data [E-EDID]. Specific examples are described below.

The player device is extended by a decoder for decoding an interlaced 3Dvideo stream. However, there is a chance that the display device doesnot support a matching interlaced frame packing format. For example, inHDMI only a few progressive frame packing video formats are mandatory.HDMI version 1.4a defines for an HDMI Sink which supports at least one59.94/60 Hz 2D video format support all of

1920×1080p@23.98/24 Hz Frame packing1280×720p@59.94/60 Hz Frame packing1920×1080i@59.94/60 Hz Side-by-Side (Half)1920×1080p@23.98/24 Hz Top-and-Bottom1280×720p@59.94/60 Hz Top-and-BottomFor an HDMI Sink which supports at least one 50 Hz 2D video formatshould support all of1920×1080p@23.98/24 Hz Frame packing1280×720p@50 Hz Frame packing1920×1080i@50 Hz Side-by-Side (Half)

1920×1080p @23.98/24 Hz Top-and-Bottom

1280×720p@50 Hz Top-and-Bottom

If the display device does not support a matching interlaced framepacking format, the player is further extended to convert the decodedhigh resolution HD interlaced 3D video signal (also called Full HDinterlaced 3D video signal) to a lower resolution (also called half HD)side-by-side or top-bottom format that is supported by the 3D displaydevice. The result will be that the interlaced 3D video signal isrendered on the connected display device, although providing a somewhatlower quality video picture.

It is noted that the proposed system reduces user confusion andpotential annoyance that might be caused when Interlaced S3D (IS3D)video material, e.g. on BD, is introduced in the market. Thereto a setof player interlaced conversion capabilities and display interlaced 3Dcapabilities is made available to the playback program through a storageunit. In BD such a storage system is called the Player Status Register(PSR) mechanism. By retrieving the player interlaced conversioncapabilities and display interlaced 3D capabilities a disc author isenabled to select an appropriate playlist, conversion or generatemessaging regarding possible issues most suitable in the particularsituation.

In an embodiment, among the player capabilities to be stored in PSR bitsare “capable of decoding interlaced 3D” and “capable of interlaced 3Dconversion to mandatory HDMI format”. These capabilities are intrinsiccapabilities of the player and are generally fixed in the PSR, althoughit may be possible to have them user configurable. Among the displaydevice capabilities to be stored in a PSR bit are “display devicesupports interlace frame packing”. The value of this PSR bit isdepending on the capabilities of the connected 3D display device and maybe updated each time a connection is established. The source device maycheck the EDID information from the display to see if the Full HDinterlaced format used on the disc is supported and derive the PSR bitvalue from this. Alternatively the bits are determined based on userinput.

FIG. 2 shows a storage unit having 3D display capability data. Thestorage unit 21 is schematically shown to have 4 bytes, i.e 32 bits (b31to b0) of storage capacity. The embodiment is similar to a Player StatusRegister (PSR) of the Blu-ray system, e.g. PSR 23. A number of bits ofPSR23 (Display Capability) b0-3 and b8-19 is defined as follows. Thehorizontal display size is stored in bits b19-b8 of PSR23, the value(b11-b0) gives the connected display's horizontal size in centimeters.

Bit b0 22 marked Cap. Stereo stores Stereoscopic Display Capability ofthe Connected TV system, where:

0b=Incapable of displaying Stereoscopic 1920×1080/23.976 Hz Progressivevideo and Stereoscopic 1280×720/59.94 Hz Progressive video;1b=Capable of displaying Stereoscopic 1920×1080/23.976 Hz Progressivevideo and Stereoscopic 1280×720/59.94 Hz Progressive video.

Bit b1 23, marked Cap.p50, stores Stereoscopic 1280×720 50p videoDisplay Capability of the Connected TV system, where:

0b=Incapable of displaying Stereoscopic 1280×720/50 Hz Progressivevideo;1b=Capable of displaying Stereoscopic 1280×720/50 Hz Progressive video.

Bit b2 24, marked Cap.NoGl, stores No glasses required for stereoscopicdisplay of the Connected TV system, where:

0b=needs glasses to watch Stereoscopic Output mode;1b=does not need glasses to watch Stereoscopic Output mode.

For enabling to generate an output interlaced 3D video signal that issupported the respective capabilities of the connected 3D display systemare defined.

Bit b3 25, marked Cap.IntFP, stores Interlace Frame Packing Capabilityof the Connected TV system, where

0b=the display device does not support the interlace frame packing moderequired to display Full HD interlaced 3D video;1b=the display device supports the interlace frame packing mode requiredto display Full HD interlaced 3D video.

It is noted that the single bit b3 indicated the capability of the videodisplay device for to receive respective interlaced 3D formats, and maybe defined to indicate that a specific set of interlaced 3D video modesare supported which are mandatory according to a predefined standard,e.g. HDMI 1.4a.

Optionally further PSR bits, e.g. b4-b7, may be used to indicate furtherdifferent interlaced 3D video modes supported by the connected displaydevice. Also, a set of bits may be defined to indicated each individualinterlaced 3D format that is supported, such as the side-by sideconfiguration and the top-bottom configuration, or a further formatwhich doubles the number of video lines of an HDMI video frame andtransmits the 2 full HD views subsequently (L first) in this single HDMIframe

FIG. 3 shows a storage unit having 3D interlaced capability data of thevideo processing device. The storage unit 31 is schematically shown tohave 4 bytes, i.e. 32 bits (b31 to b0) of storage capacity. Theembodiment is similar to a Player Status Register (PSR) of the Blu-raysystem, e.g. PSR 24 (3D Capability of the player device). A number ofbits of PSR24, b0-7, have been defined to indicate various 3D relatedcapabilities of the device itself, marked Cap.A to Cap.H. For example,b0 marked Cap.A 32 may define a capability to process 1280×720/50 Hzprogressive video.

For enabling to generate an output interlaced 3D video signal that issupported the interlaced 3D decoding capabilities of the videoprocessing device for decoding a high resolution interlaced 3D format,and interlaced 3D conversion capabilities for interlaced conversion ofthe high resolution interlaced 3D format into a lower resolutioninterlaced 3D display format, are defined.

Bit b8 33 marked Cap.Stereo stores an Interlaced 3D decoding Capabilityof the device, where:

0b=Incapable of decoding Interlaced 3D video streams;1b=Capable of decoding Interlaced 3D video streams.

Bit b9 34 marked Cap.IntCon stores an Interlaced 3D conversionCapability, where:

0b=Incapable of converting decoded Interlace 3D video streams to lowerresolution 3D format supported by display device;1b=Capable of converting decoded Interlace 3D video streams to lowerresolution 3D format supported by display device.

The playback program on the disc may read the above information from thePSRs and responds to the different cases in dependence on the 3D displaycapability data and the 3D conversion capability data, by at least oneof selecting the interlaced 3D display format; selecting the interlacedconversion; and generating a message to be displayed to inform a userabout 3D playback capabilities. The message may for example state that3D playback is not possible, or only possible with reduced resolution,and may be accompanied by a user selection menu or button, such as anoption to select a 2D version. Detailed responses are for example:

(1) Player is not capable of decoding interlaced 3D. A message isdisplayed to inform the user that 3D play back is not possible.Optionally an alternative program is selected, e.g. a 2D version of theS3D program.(2) Player is capable of decoding interlaced 3D, but the display devicedoes not support interlaced frame packing mode. Also, the player has noconversion capability. A message is displayed to inform the user that 3Dplay back is not possible. Optionally an alternative program isselected, e.g. a 2D version of the S3D program.(3) Player is capable of decoding interlaced 3D, but the display devicedoes not support interlaced frame packing mode. However, the player doeshave the capability to convert the Full HD video signal to one of themandatory HDMI formats. A message is displayed to inform the user that3D play back is possible, but that there might be some quality loss.

In a further embodiment, rather than exposing the display and playbackdevice capabilities in a condensed way as described above, the variouscapabilities could be explicitly listed. For example, a relevant subsetof the various display modes available through EDID is signaled throughPSRs. Also, the playback device could have multiple conversion options(e.g. to side-by-side, to top-bottom, to 1280×720p60). The full setcould be signaled through multiple bits in the PSRs.

The playback program on the disc may include a strategy to reduceannoyance by storing a history of message display as 3D interlace statusfor the respective medium or video program, or for a respective provideror broadcaster of 3D video. For instance, it is not necessary to displaya message that the quality is reduced each time a disc is played,especially as long as the capability setting bits have not been changed.

Optionally, the selection mechanism or corresponding function of theplayback program may include any combination of the following:

generating a message to be displayed to inform a user that 3D playbackis not possible when an interlaced 3D decoding capability of the videoprocessing device indicates that generating the 3D display signal bydecoding the 3D video data is not available;

generating a message to be displayed to inform a user that 3D playbackis not possible when the interlaced 3D conversion capability dataindicates that interlaced conversion is not available, while theinterlace frame packing capability indicates that the connected TV doesnot support interlace frame packing mode matching the input format;

selecting an alternative program when 3D playback is not possible;

selecting a 2D version of the 3D video information when 3D playback isnot possible;

generating a message to be displayed to inform a user that 3D playbackis possible at a reduced resolution when selecting the interlaced 3Ddisplay format and the interlaced conversion;

generating a message to be displayed listing the 3D display capabilitydata and/or the 3D conversion capability data and enabling a user toselect the display format and/or the interlaced conversion.

The messages and corresponding user input, and/or the selected videostream, and/or the activated 3D interlace conversion enable the user toenjoy the best possible display mode for the 3D video information on theconnected 3D display device.

It is to be noted that the invention may be implemented in hardwareand/or software, using programmable components. A method forimplementing the invention has the steps corresponding to the functionsdefined for the system as described with reference to FIG. 1.

It will be appreciated that the above description for clarity hasdescribed embodiments of the invention with reference to differentfunctional units and processors. However, it will be apparent that anysuitable distribution of functionality between different functionalunits or processors may be used without deviating from the invention.For example, functionality illustrated to be performed by separateunits, processors or controllers may be performed by the same processoror controllers. Hence, references to specific functional units are onlyto be seen as references to suitable means for providing the describedfunctionality rather than indicative of a strict logical or physicalstructure or organization.

It is noted, that in this document the word ‘comprising’ does notexclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed andthe word ‘a’ or ‘an’ preceding an element does not exclude the presenceof a plurality of such elements, that any reference signs do not limitthe scope of the claims, that the invention may be implemented by meansof both hardware and software, and that several ‘means’ or ‘units’ maybe represented by the same item of hardware or software, and a processormay fulfill the function of one or more units, possibly in cooperationwith hardware elements. Further, the invention is not limited to theembodiments, and the invention lies in each and every novel feature orcombination of features described above or recited in mutually differentdependent claims.

1. Video processing device for processing three dimensional [3D] videoinformation, the 3D video information comprising 3D video data, thevideo processing device comprising: an input configured to receive 3Dvideo information comprising 3D video data according to an interlaced 3Dformat having a resolution matching an interlaced frame packing formatand a selection mechanism from a medium carrying 3D video informationand the selection mechanism as a function, a video processor configuredto process the 3D video information and generating a 3D display signalof pixel data, the 3D display signal representing the 3D video dataaccording to a display format, a display interface configured tointerface with a 3D display device to transfer the 3D display signal,the display interface configured to receive 3D display capability datafrom the 3D display device, the 3D display capability data indicating aninterlaced 3D display format accepted by the 3D display device, theinterlaced 3D display format differing from the interlaced frame packingformat and being a side by side or a top bottom format, a storageconfigured to store the 3D display capability data and 3D conversioncapability data in a status register, the 3D conversion capability dataindicating a capability of the video processing device for interlacedconversion of the interlaced 3D format into the interlaced 3D displayformat, and the video processor configured to control the processing ofthe 3D video information via the selection mechanism, by: reading thestatus register, selecting the interlaced 3D display format depending onthe stored 3D display capability data and stored 3D conversioncapability data, and depending on the selection, processing theinterlaced conversion by converting the 3D video information, accordingto the interlaced frame packing format, to the interlaced 3D displayformat being a side-by-side or a top bottom format.
 2. The videoprocessing device of claim 1, wherein the storage is configured to storean interlaced 3D decoding capability of the video processing device forenabling the selection mechanism to engage, in dependence of theinterlaced 3D decoding capability, generating the 3D display signal bydecoding the 3D video data.
 3. The video processing device of claim 1,wherein the storage is configured to store a 3D interlace status for amedium carrying the 3D video data, the stored interlace status being apreference for the medium with respect to selecting the interlaced 3Ddisplay format and the interlaced conversion, for enabling the selectionmechanism to adapt the control in dependence of the 3D interlace status,when receiving 3D video data from the medium.
 4. The video processingdevice of claim 1, wherein the 3D conversion capability data indicatesmultiple capabilities of the video processing device for interlacedconversion of the interlaced 3D format into respective differentinterlaced 3D display formats, and/or interlaced conversion ofrespective different interlaced 3D formats into the interlaced 3Ddisplay format.
 5. The video processing device of claim 1, wherein theselection mechanism comprises providing a user input configured toenable a user to control the display format and/or the interlacedconversion.
 6. The video processing device of claim 1, wherein theselection mechanism comprises alternatively selecting a 2D displaysignal depending on the 3D conversion capability data.
 7. The videoprocessing device of claim 1, wherein the input comprises an opticaldisc unit for receiving the 3D video data from an optical disc and/orthe display interface is a High Definition Multimedia Interface [HDMI]configured to receive the 3D display capability data from the 3D displaydevice via Enhanced Extended Display Identification Data [E-EDID].
 8. Amethod of operating a video processing device to control the processingof three dimensional [3D] video information, the method comprising:receiving via an input, 3D video information comprising 3D video dataaccording to an interlaced 3D format having a resolution matching aninterlaced frame packing format, processing by a video processor, the 3Dvideo information comprising generating a 3D display signal of pixeldata for a 3D display device, the 3D display signal representing the 3Dvideo data according to a display format, controlling by the videoprocessor, the processing of the 3D video information via the selectionmechanism, by: retrieving, from a status register of a storage, 3Ddisplay capability data and 3D conversion capability data, the 3Ddisplay capability data indicating an interlaced 3D display formataccepted by the 3D display device, the interlaced 3D display formatdiffering from the interlaced frame packing format and being a side byside or a top bottom format, and the 3D conversion capability dataindicating a capability of the video processing device for interlacedconversion of the interlaced 3D format into the interlaced 3D displayformat, selecting the interlaced 3D display format depending on the 3Ddisplay capability data and the 3D conversion capability data, anddepending on the selection, processing the interlaced conversion byconverting the 3D video according to the interlaced frame packing formatto the interlaced 3D display format being a side-by-side or a top bottomformat.
 9. The method of claim 8, comprising at least one of the acts:generating a message to be displayed to inform a user that 3D playbackis not possible when an interlaced 3D decoding capability of the videoprocessing device indicates that generating the 3D display signal bydecoding the 3D video data is not available; generating a message to bedisplayed to inform a user that 3D playback is not possible when theinterlaced 3D conversion capability data indicates that interlacedconversion is not available; selecting an alternative program when 3Dplayback is not possible; selecting a 2D version of the 3D videoinformation when 3D playback is not possible; generating a message to bedisplayed to inform a user that 3D playback is possible at a reducedresolution when selecting the interlaced 3D display format and theinterlaced conversion; generating a message to be displayed listing the3D display capability data and/or the 3D conversion capability data andenabling a user to select the display format and/or the interlacedconversion.
 10. A Computer program product that is not a transitorypropagating signal or wave, controlling a video processing device forprocessing of 3D video information, which program product is operativeto cause a processor to perform the method of claim
 8. 11. An opticalrecord carrier comprising the computer program product of claim 10, andthe 3D video information.
 12. The optical record carrier of claim 11,wherein the optical record carrier is in accordance with the Blu-rayDisc system and the computer program product is in accordance with Javaprogramming requirements.
 13. A video processing device to control theprocessing of three dimensional [3D] video information, the videoprocessing device comprising: an input configured to receive 3D videoinformation comprising 3D video data according to an interlaced 3Dformat having a resolution matching an interlaced frame packing format,a video processor configured to process the 3D video informationcomprising generating a 3D display signal of pixel data for a 3D displaydevice, the 3D display signal representing the 3D video data accordingto a display format, the video processor configured to control theprocessing of the 3D video information via the selection mechanism, by:a status register of a storage configured to provide 3D displaycapability data and 3D conversion capability data, the 3D displaycapability data indicating an interlaced 3D display format accepted bythe 3D display device, the interlaced 3D display format differing fromthe interlaced frame packing format and being a side by side or a topbottom format, and the 3D conversion capability data indicating acapability of the video processing device for interlaced conversion ofthe interlaced 3D format into the interlaced 3D display format,selecting by the selection mechanism, the interlaced 3D display formatdepending on the 3D display capability data and the 3D conversioncapability data, and depending on the selection, processing theinterlaced conversion by converting the 3D video according to theinterlaced frame packing format to the interlaced 3D display formatbeing a side-by-side or a top bottom format.